Azarenka, Federer Eye Indian Wells Title Defence

Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has arrived for her title defense at Indian Wells seeking another victory to take her closer to regaining the world No. 1 ranking.

A title repeat on the hard courts of the California desert won’t send Azarenka back to the top of the heap, but it could set the stage for a showdown with current No. 1 Serena Williams later in March in Miami. Once again, Williams and her sister Venus are skipping the BNP Paribas Open, where other notable absentees include China’s Li Na.

World No. 5 Li is still battling the nagging effects of the left ankle injury she suffered in losing the Australian Open final to Azarenka.Women’s main draw play in the combined WTA and ATP Masters tournament began yesterday even though the top 32 seeds all enjoy first-round byes.

World No. 3 Maria Sharapova, routed in straight sets by Azarenka in last year’s final, is seeded second ahead of Poland’s AgnieszkaRadwanska and Germany’s Angelique Kerber.

Roger Federer is the defending men’s champion, and seeded second behind world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

Federer’s hold on the number two ranking could be in jeopardy, with Scotland’s Andy Murray in position to overtake him by reaching the final of the first Masters event of the season. If Murray wins the tournament, he is assured of moving to No. 2. If he finishes runner-up, Federer must reach the semi-finals or better to retain the second spot.

The men’s field also features Rafael Nadal, who ended a seven-month injury absence with a Latin American swing of three clay court tournaments that yielded a runner-up finish in Vina del Mar, Chile, and titles in Sao Paulo and Acapulco. He’s hoping Indian Wells will prove his left knee is up to the rigors of a hard court tournament.